Packing has always been my least favorite part of preparing for a trip. However, it’s a necessary task! Over time, I’ve developed a more methodical and organized approach to packing, which I hope will be helpful to you. Being well-prepared and organized is crucial, especially for longer, multi-city, or multi-country trips, which tend to be the type of trips I go on. To streamline your travel preparation, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of travel essentials and tips. From essential documents to comfort items, this ultimate travel packing guide covers everything you need to bring on your travels!

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on this site, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

The Road We Take is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Save this guide for later

Important Travel Documents

A travel packing essential…. Don’t leave home without this 🙂 Proper documentation is crucial for international travel and it is essential to get things in order ahead of time. Here are some essentials to ensure you’re prepared:

Passports and Visas

Always check the visa requirements for your destination ahead of time through the country’s official government website or the embassy where you live. Some countries don’t require a visa, while others require one ahead of time, or sometimes on arrival.

Additionally, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. If it isn’t, you run the risk of being sent back. The reason governments do this is to prevent you from “overstaying”. Another thing we recently discovered is that you need to make sure you have enough empty pages available as determined by the specific requirements of the country you’re visiting. When we recently visited 15 countries at once (which obviously isn’t the norm!), we had to get a brand new passport in order to meet the space requirements of every country.

Currency

Having some local currency on hand is always a good idea. While you typically can withdraw money from ATMs upon arrival at the airport, the fees are often higher. It’s better to exchange some money at your bank before you leave, to ensure you have enough for transportation from the airport to your accommodation or in an emergency. In more remote airports we’ve found it difficult to even find an ATM. It just relieves a lot of uncertainty and stress if you bring some money!

Organized Itinerary

Create an organized itinerary and update your calendar or folder with all your reservations, including flights, accommodations, and activities. I typically add all my reservations into my Google calendar. When you’re adding them in, you can adjust the time zone so it will be correct when you’re at your destination. This helps keep track of your plans and provides quick access to information when needed. I love having everything in one place, so I can quickly reference my schedule. Especially when we have multiple countries or cities, I tend to lose track of ALL the reservations… flights, hotels, trains, rental cars, restaurant reservations, activity reservations, etc.

For longer trips, I create an Excel spreadsheet. This was how we managed our long 15-country trip and it was very convenient to refer to this document every day. It also makes it easy to track budgets.

SIM Card

Check if your cell phone provider works in the country you’re visiting and if international service is included. If not, consider getting a local SIM card to avoid high roaming charges and ensure you have reliable communication. Staying connected is crucial for navigating new places and staying in touch. With eSIMs from Airalo, you can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as you land.

Google Maps

I use Google Maps religiously and it makes it SO much easier to get around. I don’t know how people survived using paper maps!! Before I leave, I ceate a new Google map on my phone, for each of the different destinations I am visiting. I will add our accommodation, the airport, and any restaurants, activities, or points of interest we plan on visiting. Then, I make sure to “download maps offline“. This is KEY to being able to use the map even when you have no service or if you’re on airplane mode. You won’t be able to pull up reviews and pictures if you don’t have service but you can navigate. This has been helpful when you’re navigating the city streets of a new city, or driving in a remote place with limited service.

Travel Packing & Comfort Packing Essentials

Ensuring your comfort during travel is essential to arriving well rested and ready to fully enjoy your vaca!

Browse my Amazon guide to all of my travel essentials.

Here are a few must-have items and my guide to the best travel essentials:

Coolife Luggage 3 Piece Set

This durable and lightweight Coolife Luggage 3 Piece luggage set includes three pieces with TSA locks, perfect for organizing your belongings for any trip. I love how sturdy and spacious these suitcases are, making packing and organizing a breeze. I personally also prefer suitcases that have wheels so that I don’t have to carry a heavy bag around everywhere.

Wandrd Backpack

The Wandrd products are my favorite and this TRANSIT Travel Backpack is perfect for storing all my photography equipment. They’re also great just as a regular bag! They fit SO much and have so many convenient pockets and zippers.

Wandrd Tech Pouch

If it weren’t for my Wandrd Tech Pouch all of my cords would be a disaster. This small pouch fits a ton. I store all my plugs and charging blocks in here.

Packable Compression Cubes

Compression cubes are an absolute must when you travel! These LeanTravel Compression Packing Cubes are my favorite. Not only do they help you organize everything by type, but you can fit so much more in your suitcase! I can’t live without these! They keep my clothes neat and maximize the space in my luggage.

napfun Neck Pillow for Traveling

Long flights or road trips can be exhausting. This memory foam travel pillow ensures you stay well-rested. I hate when I fall asleep on planes or in cars and have no neck support. I end up really hurting my neck, so I carry one of these on every trip! It makes such a difference in how refreshed I am when I arrive at my destination.

Perilogics Universal in Flight Airplane Phone Holder Mount

This hands-free phone holder lets you watch movies or shows on your phone. It’s perfect when you’re on a flight and want to watch content you’ve downloaded on your phone but don’t want to hold it the whole time. It’s such a convenient gadget to have!

Health and Hygiene Essentials

Staying healthy while traveling is crucial. Your body just naturally is exposed to so many more germs and people so it’s sometimes inevitable that you get sick on a trip. Here is a guide to a few items that I religiously pack and that should be part of your travel essentials:

Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray

I always carry hand sanitizer when I travel for obvious reasons. Whether you’re in the airport, on a plane, or eating street food from a vendor, this Touchland hand sanitizer spray is the perfect compact size. It also smells really good!

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen

Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with this EltaMD UV dermatologist-recommended sunscreen. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and provides excellent sun protection, which is perfect for travel. You should always wear sunscreen even on the plane! You can be exposed to UV rays through the windows.

Tide To Go Pen

Stains happen (at least for me…). Always be prepared with this convenient and portable Tide stain remover pen. It’s saved my clothes from many potential disasters while traveling!

Travel Packing Essentials: Tech Gadgets and Accessories

These tech gadgets will make your travel experience more enjoyable and efficient:

INIU Portable Charger

A portable charger is essential for keeping your devices powered up, especially during long travel days. I never leave home without mine; it’s a lifesaver when you’re out exploring all day. If you’re someone who takes a lot of photos or videos your phone/camera is pretty much bound to die.

EPICKA Universal Travel Power Adapter

This universal travel adapter ensures you can charge your electronics no matter where you are in the world. It’s incredibly handy and has multiple USB ports, making it easy to charge all my devices simultaneously.

Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter/Receiver

Connect your wireless headphones to any audio jack, perfect for in-flight entertainment. I love using my AirPod Pro headphones on planes, and this device makes it possible.

Packing Essentials: Travel Security

Apple AirTag

Keep track of your luggage and other valuable items with these easy-to-use Apple Airtag tracking devices. I attach them to my luggage and other important items to ensure I never lose track of them. I love checking the status of my checked bags when I get on and off the plane.

Browse my Amazon guide to all of my travel essentials.

Outfit Planning

Planning your outfits in advance can save you a lot of time and stress. I always make sure to coordinate my clothing to match the activities and weather of my destination. This way, I pack only what I need and avoid overpacking. Check out some of my favorite Amazon outfit essentials.

Pro tip: Take a photo of yourself in a floor-length mirror. Use the Apple iPhone outline tool to grab your body only. Paste the image into a Google Slide doc to keep track of all your outfits. You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you’d like. It really helps me a lot!

Final Thoughts

Packing the right travel essentials can make a significant difference in your overall experience. Planning what you need ahead of time allows you to be prepared for any adventure that comes your way. My travel essentials guide ensures that you have some of the most important items – but make sure you think about what other items you typically need and use on a regular basis. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first big trip, these tips will help you pack efficiently and effectively.

Explore additional travel tips including 10 tips for affordable luxury travel, or guides to destinations around the world.

Save this guide for later

---